The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-08
miscellaneous.
THE LEGACY.


mere claimant of the title, like the wa'eTmcn
of the lakes and the coast shippers who never
get out of sight of land, and who, if they got
there, could never get blCk-but a genuine
"old salt" trained from bOyhoud under q tar
rauln hat, and as familiar with the paths of
the sea" as a shepherd is with those of sheep
walk Spending his life on extended voy-
ages, he WAS seldom at home long enough at
time for the salt spray To dry on his wealth
or beaten cheeks; ami there was hardly
Il port on the habitabiG globe in which ne
could not shake hands with an old acquant-
ance, civilized or savage.
Of course his history WAS crowded with
curious incidents. Most of these, at which
my childish ear tingled and my eyes dilaied,
have become so faded in memory us to be in
capable of a toerable narration. The follow
ing, however, made a more lasting impress
sion
During the calm between the old French
war and the American revolution, large
ship was lying at a wharf in the town of New
York, loaded with valuable cargo and ready
to sail for Liverpool, and thence to whatever
part of the globe the chances of commerce
would dictate.
This was my grandmther's ship, only wait
ing for her papers and Il fair wind. The pa
pers were soon ready, and shortly after them
came breeze. Presently everything on
board was in active motion-the casting off
and Coiling Of ropes, the unfurling of canvas,
and the running up of sailor boys along tie
lines like spiders on their webs while the
sharp, imperative orders OF the mate and the
hearty "ye-hoy-ye" of the cheerful crew
echoed over the rippling waters of the har-
bcr, which looked in the rays of the setting
sun as if it was covered with cream ofliuuid
gold.
Just before the last plank was hauled in
stranger stepped hurriedly on board and in
quired for the captains s,ateroom Being
conducted thither he entered, and with o
slight bow, accosted the captain, who sat
writing at his desk.
You are for Liverpool, l believe, sir?"
"Yes, sir"
~ am in poor health, and, intending to
spend the winter in Italy, wish TO get pas
sage in the first ship that sails for Europe
Will you take passenger?'
Eyes, sir if my accommodations will suit
you ?"
No matter about accommodations, cap
tain. | am an old sailor, and know how 10
accommodate myself Besides the trim of
your ship suits my eye"
The alusion to his i'll health attracted my
grandiather's scrutiny, and the introduce
ton of himself as an Old sailor touched his
heart. On noticing him more particularly
he was struck with an undesirable feeling of
curiosity and sympathy at his appearance.
Tall, straight and rather slender, he was
dressed in fine black broadcloth, with sort
of Spanish cloak Of the same color and quail
ty. A two-edged sword, common ON ship
board at that time, and improperly call cut
less, was partly covered by his cloak and
hung by his side without sheath. His hair
w IN uro nd hia me- nj fac han yr,pll
have been handsome had they not been SO
emaciated as to give unpleasant prominence
to Il half dozen deep scars on his face. His
eyes were blue and full of expression, but
restless at times, showing sudden abstrac-
ton. The loOseness of one of his black gloves
gave evidence that he had lost finger or
two from his left hand. These observations
were made by the captain while the stranger
was looking at beautiful sextant on the
table. Turning, ms il startled at lis forget
fulness, he resummed
'Name the price, captain, and will pay 1t
now"
My grandfather had already asked the
price in his mind, and replied
You are sailor, sir, and sick. The ac-
commoda,ions of my ship, as well as my own
services, are at your free command"
The language of sailors heart cannot be
misunderstood and knows no interpreter,
and the stranger knew that remonstrance
would be ungenerous on his part He made
no reply, but eagerly extended his hand, and
my grandfather, as he shook it, thought he
saw tear in the strangers eye. But noble
hearts are impatient of exhibitions of graft
tude, and he quickly added
Il am ready to sail, sir. Is your baggage
on board?'
This is all my baggage, sir, he replied,
showing him small black satchel under his
cloak.
Leading him to state room the captain
left him and went on deck and found the
ship already under way, the sails filled with
stiff breeze, and wharves, warehouses and
spectators fast growing small in the distance.
AT length, as darkness shut in the view the
wind increased to gale, and from gale 10
a tempest, and for len days and nights the
noble ship, which had plowed the seas of
every latitude from Spitzbergen to New Tea
land, underwent such a conflict with the ele-
ments us she had never before encountered.
During all this time the stranger had been
C0atined below with I'M appcaranty rapid
consumption, which rough weather had
swiftly matured.
During the storm the duties of the captain
were so urgent that he could only make
snatches and hasty visits to the sick man
and, although they could have been spared
from their quarters, he could have hoped for
little aid or sympathy from any of the crew,
who, with the easy tendency TO the superst-
Gus peculiar to their class, had associated his
presence with the peris of the ship.
II would have required but slight encour-
agement from their official to induce them to
pay him some compliment that the sailors of
Joppa paid TO Jonah on Il similar occasion,
when "The sea wrought and was tempest
GUS"
But on the tenth night just as the captain
was ready to answer summons to visit the
sick mans berth, the storm ceased with q
suddenness that was startling the wind was